Graham's the Family Dairy urges Scottish Government to approve Airthrey Green

Robert Graham says the proposal to build a £40m processing facility and 600 new homes is 'ideal case study for what the Sustainable Growth Commission Report refers to as the Next Generation Economic Model for Scotland’

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Also 600 houses would be built in partnership with MacTaggart & Mickel plus a new primary school.

The application was originally submitted in 2014 but was refused and has since been subject to a two-year planning appeal.

There are concerns about building homes on greenbelt land, as well as flooding fears and other issues if it went ahead.

But Graham's the Family Dairy managing director Robert Graham believes the development is firmly in line with a range of Scottish Government's policies and strategies - including the SNP's Growth Commission report and Stirling's economic strategy.

He also claimed failure to uphold their appeal would be at odds with the First Minister’s commitments at the SNP party conference in Aberdeen to “boost the economy now, preparing for the future and building the homes that people need”.

He said: “Airthrey Green is the ideal case study for what the Sustainable Growth Commission Report refers to as the ‘Next Generation Economic Model for Scotland’.

"It will have a transformational, positive impact at a crucial time, not only to our business but also the local community. Approval will constitute a step-change in investment by facilitating the new dairy, while at the same time tackling the critical housing shortage for Stirling.

"At its heart, our project invests in people, affordable homes, jobs, skills and infrastructure, and builds on the tremendous opportunities that the recently announced City Deal for Stirling and Clackmannanshire unlocks.

“However, the alternative, if the appeal is dismissed is twofold: Stirling Council’s housing shortfall will continue to deepen, reinforcing the unaffordability of housing in Stirling with wider social and economic impact; and the step-change investment in jobs, skills development and the Scottish dairy sector that is essential to building a progressive, inclusive economy will not be delivered.

“The Growth Commission concludes: ‘Ultimately this is about the sort of country – society and economy – we want to become’. My response is that our family is dedicated to continuing to support the economic ambitions of Stirling and Scotland through partnerships that benefit inclusive growth, as evidenced by our commitment to make our biggest-ever investment against a backdrop of economic uncertainty caused by Brexit.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Scottish Ministers are currently giving full and proper consideration to the appeal at Airthrey Kerse and a decision will be issued as soon as possible.”